1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
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4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battle
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 July 2025
Potter faces a battle to restore optimism among the fanbase.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 6 July 2025
Kiké Hernández has been battling a sore left elbow that affects his swing for about a month.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
Dorsey notably supported Kendrick Lamar during the high-profile rap battle between Kendrick and Drake last year, prompting fans to speculate that his apparent stance may have been influenced by Rooks’ connection to the Canadian rapper.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 July 2025
Potter faces a battle to restore optimism among the fanbase.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Verb
The actress battled a crystal meth and cocaine addiction after Full House ended its eight-season run in 1995.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 6 July 2025
Kiké Hernández has been battling a sore left elbow that affects his swing for about a month.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
The antibiotics he was prescribed after the fight could have also altered his mind.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
9 July 2025
-
Some scenes, like a fight that takes place in an antiproton river in the pocket universe, feel almost more like a cartoon than live-action, and not in a good way.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Yet Villa were short of cash and the lack of financial headroom brought skirmishes with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
-
Could a Stronger Federal System Have Prevented the Texas Disaster and is this even the question to ask? America’s approach to disaster relief has long been one of the recurring skirmishes in the larger political theatre of governance.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The other previous winner in the field is Fernando Alonso, who won this race in 2006 and 2011.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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As an example, IMGs make up 40% of residents in internal medicine, a primary care field with a focus on preventing chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
There’s been a lot of change in college football in recent years, but rivalries still form the foundation of the sport for so many fans.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
-
Adding an element of controversy to what’s been an unusually friendly title rivalry, Piastri even suggested that if McLaren thought the call was unfair, the team could ask him and Norris to swap places to cancel the effect of the penalty.—
James Ellingworth,
Denver Post,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Tax credit awards are highly competitive, with multiple firms competing for a limited pool of funds, meaning the make-or-break financing source is anything but certain.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
Players compete at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in Wimbledon, London.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Simmons also faces escape charges after attempting to break out of the Cherokee County detention center in October 2024 by climbing over a fence, according to Smith.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
-
New directives like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive will soon require U.S. companies to identify and address environmental and human rights risks across their supply chains—or face legal liability.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at rolling back DEI initiatives, with one of them including directives for federal agencies to combat DEI in the private sector.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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Antioxidants can help combat free radicals, unstable molecules that damage the body’s cells and can lead to cancer.2 Small amounts of fluoride, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and beta-carotene can be found in raw tomatoes.—
Andrea Michelson,
Verywell Health,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is set to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday, is pulled between the US and his allies on the far right who oppose a ceasefire.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 July 2025
-
The disparate group’s efforts to speak with one voice distinct from that of the West often become mired in opposing views.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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